Want to experience the nostalgic joy of 90s Disney movies? Get cosy and make some popcorn because we’ve rounded up all the best classics that can be streamed on Disney+ right from your living room. Fill your night with memorable moments while re-experiencing what many consider a golden era in cinema!
If you remember the classic Disney movies from when they aired on TV or in theatres (90s babies, we feel you!), or if you’d like to be informed about all of their recent media coverage – these are timeless works of art that shouldn’t go unseen.
Since its inception in 1937 with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Disney has been a critical player in the film industry. Their 1950 release of Treasure Island is still remembered as one of their most iconic live-action movies. As if that weren’t enough to make it memorable, we will soon be graced with a stunningly realistic remake of Snow White!
Disney Animation Studios have released 60 animated feature films, nine of which were produced during the 1990s. And with Disney Channel Original Movies (DCOM), this list continues to expand – currently boasting over 110 titles and counting!
Whether you seek a heartfelt love story, a spooky thriller, or something to watch with the whole family – you can find it all on this ’90s Disney selection!
Whether you crave stories of manipulative powers taking control, young adults discovering their magical gifts, legendary romances that live on in our hearts forever, or heartwarming relationships that span the ages—these films have it all!
Tarzan
Tarzan is a dreadful film, fittingly signalling the end of what many believe to be Walt Disney Animation’s most successful decade ever.
The 1999 film was a blatant foreshadowing of what was to come. This movie is overly sugary and features an overabundance of pop music, disregarding Broadway hits like The Little Mermaid or Beauty and the Beast. Its core concept can be boiled down to “family is what you make it”, which, while simple as it may seem, proves to be its downfall as the lack of creativity renders the viewing experience tedious beyond measure.
Although some may argue that the source material is to blame for this unexpected pacing, I find it peculiar how Tarzan starts intensely paced and then suddenly slows down as he enters Adult Time. Eventually, leading to a disappointing climax with little excitement or payoff.
The characters fail to leave a lasting impression; the film’s heavy shading techniques detract from its otherwise-impressive animation, and utilizing original Phil Collins tunes for the soundtrack was an unfortunate decision that does not contribute in any meaningful way.
The Rescuers Down Under
Let’s talk about the often-overlooked Disney movie from the 1990s. Released in 1990, The Rescuers Down Under is a genuine product of its time and was already being developed when progress for The Little Mermaid had been made. This film appears similar to pre-Second Golden Age Disney films, making it an amazing reminder of this era!
Although the animation and flying sequences are gorgeous, this movie’s story doesn’t stand out amongst Disney’s other releases over the past decade. It is also strange that it took 13 years for a sequel to be released, making it necessary to reintroduce fans to Bernard Newhart and Eva Gabor’s mouse rescue mission.
This movie arrives when the American public is captivated by Australia, so it exaggerates its Down Under setting instead of fully exploiting its beautiful scenery.
Pocahontas
The 1995 classic Pocahontas is an odd movie. But if we judge it for what’s shown on screen, then it’s certainly not a bad watch! The animation is beautiful, and the scenes are pretty immersive, which makes up for its slightly slow pacing. Plus, when all’s said and done, you’re left feeling rather gratified with how everything turned out in the end.
Although it may be somewhat inaccurate in terms of history, the film’s attempt to explore Disney’s most beloved American “princess” is commendable. However, refashioning the true story of Pocahontas and her relationship with white settler John Smith by reducing their friendship to a black-and-white issue does an injustice to what took place.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
The Hunchback of Notre Dame, the motion picture that followed Pocahontas from Disney Studios, offers many resemblances to its predecessor. Although often predictable and even dull, this film still has a powerful undercurrent that can’t be ignored.
Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise, the brilliant directors behind Beauty and the Beast, absolutely hit it out of the ballpark with Hunchback — as evidenced by its excellent preface. It is no surprise that this 1996 movie is up amongst Disney’s finest!
Furthermore, some of the original tunes that Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz wrote for the movie are genuinely captivating. But even with its beautiful soundtracks, this film culminates in a somewhat outdated message—those attractive people should only be paired up with other good-looking folks.
Hercules
After a couple of extreme scenes that retrospectively appear as though Disney was endeavouring to recreate Beauty and the Beast, the studio then took on an ambitious comedic parody based on 1997’s Hercules.
Hercules is a film full of wit and vibrant colours, but it does not reach the same level of thematic depth as other Disney animations. Although Hercules dives deep into Greek mythology, creating intriguing ideas and captivating plans, they do not leave you feeling fulfilled.
The cartoonish quality of Hercules’ plan is unappealing and distracting from what should be an exciting quest. While I understand the filmmakers were going on a larger-than-life journey to meet with the gods, it ended up being quite unpleasant instead. This film fails to engage viewers when telling a heroic story.
Mulan
Without a doubt, Mulan from 1998 is the most impressive women’s rights movie of Disney’s Second Golden Age and still stands strong in today’s world.
The unbelievable narrative of a woman taking up her father’s mantle and embodying a man in battle is told with finesse, while directors Barry Cook and Tony Bancroft bring to life the majestic beauty of Old China. The vivid hues of red, combined with the chillingly powerful scenes, unfold on screen like an artwork – captivating at every turn!
Conclusion
Walt Disney Animation Studios has become a definitive icon of our society. In 1937, the studio revolutionized cinema with its full-length animated feature film Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, which marked an entirely new era for American motion pictures.
Walt Disney’s leadership created many renowned works through the decades of the 40s, 50s and 60s. Yet by the late 70s and throughout the 80s, Walt Disney Animation had strayed from its original path.
The Dark Cauldron, released in 1985, was a groundbreaking Disney movie that set the studio apart from other animated films with its bold PG rating. This film pushed boundaries and challenged what audiences had come to expect from a typical Disney production; it was vastly more obscure than anything they’d produced before—like nothing seen since Snow White.